A WALK IN FAITH

A Walk In Faith 

One of the most powerful ways to approach personal growth is to lay something good down in order to pick up something even better.  But the kicker is… a lot of times we don’t know if it’s actually going to be better. There’s risk. 

What level of risk is the question. 

Taking risks is not always better because poorly considered or excessive risks can lead to serious negative consequences like physical harm, financial losses, or damage to relationships and mental health.

It's often better to take a calculated risk after weighing potential gains against losses and implementing strategies to mitigate negative outcomes.

But if you are Christian, it involves trusting God and acting on faith, rather than living cautiously and avoiding potential failure. A godly risk is one guided by God's voice through prayer, scripture, and other believers, leading to purposeful endeavors that may appear risky but are ultimately joyful and fruitful in God's eyes. 

I am Christian, and I took a risk that most would view as extreme. Where am I now? 

I won’t lie, it has not been easy. As a matter of fact, the longest hardest ultra and wrestling match combined. A surreal one, with so many ups and downs, it has been like a never ending roller coaster of emotion.  So what was my WHY? 

I joyfully walked around the trail in my Colorado mountain yard that morning. The dogs running around and Maya on the swing set. Then I heard it again.. I felt it again…this “easy button” calling (or so it seemed), of selling the house and moving to farmland…much like I was raised on. Nahhh.. I brushed the thoughts aside once more. But as time went on, I felt these images and that feeling growing stronger… nahh again, I’d brush it off…after all, why would God want me to leave such a GOOD thing out in Colorado, with the almost perfect home, awesome running team of kids to coach (MMXC), the trails, the life? 

Until one day, we pretty much felt forced. Could we make it work, maybe… but the reality was home insurance was sky rocketing (oh yes, you who are still in CO- know.. But some of you may not, homes are doubling insurance costs yearly.. And ours was over $15,000 with another double of $ 30,000 on the way. Who in their right mind would continue with this nonsense just for a home? No doubt Colorado is one of the best states to live in … but when you have at least one kid, the cost just doesn’t make sense! This of course also hits right after a $40,000 plus out of pocket hip replacement, with potentially needing the other one done soon too! Also being Christian, I think it’s important to bring up my daughter with strength in her faith. It just wasn’t happening there. So as the reasons started to accumulate, I could hear God louder and louder telling me I was needed elsewhere. But where?! And really? And most importantly, are you sure God? 

I fought, I cried, wrestled, battled, rode that roller coaster all the way to Tennessee. I still kicked and screamed when I got here. Let me flash back for a minute though… The only reason I got on the roller coaster was because one morning, walking my laps again, I prayed. I prayed that if this was to be that God would give me peace with the decision, that he would deep down tell me it was the way to walk… and guess what he did. 

But as mentioned, I still fought him on it.. Really me God? Why? I was so comfortable there and who really needs me in Tennessee? We have no family there, literally know- NO ONE.. and you want me to move my family across the country for what??? 

The devil sure didn’t make it easy either. Anything that could go wrong went wrong. Maya and I loaded up the Xterra with Rika (one of our pups) and made our way out. We were hit with 50mph plus wind/heat storm on the way to Iowa (taking the long way to visit cousins). Then slammed in the windshield with debris that shattered the driver's side, had more vehicle problems in Missouri and got stuck there for a few nights (but shout out to the boys that helped us out! They were angels!). Finally got to TN only to find out that the house we were under contract with WASN’T going to lease it beforehand like they agreed to. Leaving Maya and I and our 100lb plus dog with limited options due to her size… to stay anywhere. We did find a few places and made good memories over those few weeks and finally got the agreement to go through to lease before we buy the new home.  

And yet,... I walked in faith. Although I stumbled, although it was clearly not a smooth run.. I continued remembering the Devil’s Toolbox, the 5 D’s and how he loves to throw wrenches in our walks of faith. 

1. Disappointment: A feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.   (Ever feel this way? Or geeze God, I thought if you called me to this it would be easy?) 

2. Discouragement: The loss of confidence or enthusiasm. 

(Oh that wasn’t me at all during the transition :) 

3. Despair: The complete loss or absence of hope. 

(If this is what you wanted God, why are you making it so difficult?!) 

4. Doubt: A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. 

(Was it even God? Was I dumb to do this? Am I a fool? Where is my God?!) 

5. Division: A term used to refer to disunity within a group or community, which Satan can exploit.

            ( STOP! .. nope, you didn’t get me Devil, you sure did try.. And although things are still    not easy… God has brought me here for reasons, he prepared me for this and I am right where he wants me to be!) 

With continued prayer of BEGGING.. For God to fix things, to make my heart feel like it was in the right place, my purpose, gifts, talents all being used.. That I was making the right choice for my family…   he sent this to my phone for me to listen…  click to hear CC podcast

Chrisitine Cain goes on to talk about how God warns us like he warned Lots' wife. He didn’t talk about any other mothers or wives, but mentioned Lots. HOW SHE SHOULD GET OUT NOW, DO NOT TURN BACK, DO NOT LOOK BACK.. or she will turn to stone.  I can only pray that I was obedient enough, that from this point forward, I heard God loud and clear that I am not to look back. 

Michele Re-Baptized!

A few weeks have passed.. And I am going 100miles a minute. I see now why I am here. From the moment we stepped foot on campus for a tour, Maya and I looked at each other and knew this was the place that God was calling us to. Maya too, not looking back, setting school records in XC,  nailing each test and MOST IMPORTANTLY, taking her walk with Jesus. Getting re-baptized under her own accord, and I couldn’t be prouder. I exist to inspire. I’ve written about it before and how God is constantly challenging us to lay something good down to make room and pick up something even better.. Even if we cannot see it. This doesn’t mean I think we are better than Colorado or my GCA team is better than my MMXC team… It simply means that my gifts and talents were needed somewhere else for now and that I am continuing my walk in FAITH as hard as it is sometimes. 

There are a lot of ways we can lay down something good to pick up something even better.. 

In relationships

• Letting go of a codependent friendship to open yourself up to healthier, more authentic connections.

• Releasing the idea of a perfect partner in order to truly accept and love someone for who they are.

• Giving up control within a relationship so that your partner has the freedom to be themselves. 

In your career

• Leaving a good, but unfulfilling, job to pursue a new path that aligns with your passions and purpose.

• Releasing the fear of failure on a project to give yourself the freedom to take creative risks.

• Giving up a side hustle that burns you out to focus your energy on what truly matters. 

In your personal life

• Letting go of a comfortable but unhealthy habit to make way for a more productive or peaceful routine.

• Releasing a past regret in order to forgive yourself and be more present in the moment.

• Decluttering your possessions to create more physical and mental space in your life. 

The core idea is to recognize that sometimes, holding on to something that is "good" can prevent you from reaching something "better." It requires being still… and listening for what he, God is telling you. 

A godly risk is one guided by God's voice through prayer, scripture, and other believers, leading to purposeful endeavors that may appear risky but are ultimately joyful and fruitful in God's eyes.

SO WHERE IS YOUR WALK IN FAITH TAKING YOU? 

Because of your own insecurities are you taking away from someone else's walk?

Sadly, with some of the negative comments I have received, I would say yes...

Maya Baptized!